Saturday, May 31, 2008

It's a calvacade of ancestors today, who knew that they would all arrive together like this, well except the last one that's traveling all the way to Sevilla Spain. I'll give that one a couple more days. hehe.

This ancestor belongs to Katxena and for me was the hardest one of the bunch which was weird as he was the one I had the clearest idea of what I wanted to do with him.

He was a cattle rancher which is why there are cows involved there. I'm not sure how much of the back story I should indulge in here as it involves actual people but suffice it to say that he lost his wife early on in the marriage. I thought it was a sad story and is what I wanted to center the story around.

I like the way the copper wire almost looks like fencing there at the bottom. Ha! That wasn't my original intention but I like the way it turned out.

This one turned out better than I had hoped for and was almost a fluke. I wasn't real sure where I was going with it and was taking turns on this one and the Frederick one and I feel it just fell together.The story behind these two boys is a troubled one. The older brother used to play cruel games with his younger brother and then dies after playing a particularly cruel game with him. I love these two boys but those eyes are haunting.

The second ancestor to arrive. Makes me happy to see them finally with family.This one is Rackycoo's Grandmother and she loved to paint. I used lots of layers of collage and paint on this one. I think she is the one that I most enjoyed doing of them all.I used dictionary pages, old newspaper, found photos and ads, lots of acrylic paint, prismacolor pencils and rust-ified washers for the flowers.All these pieces are 6"x6".

One of the first of 5 total Altered Ancestors to arrive at their destination.We did a swap at Craftster.org wherein we all submitted a couple of family photos to the group and we were then able to choose which photo to alter depending on our "feel" for it.This is my first photo I did for Altered Mommy and this is her Mother Sonja and her sister with some very large rhubarb leaves.I was a little worried about this type of swap because these weren't just any photos, they were family. Scary stuff. It also meant doing more collage than I'm used to and that really scared me.In the end I had a blast with these pics and as the rest are received I will be posting them.I will also post all the fabulous photos of my own altered ancestors when they have all arrived.

Friday, May 23, 2008

It was like a lightbulb went off over my head...I think I finally 'get' collage. It was amazing and better yet, I actually enjoyed it. Once I got rolling on these pages they just flowed out.

I was up way later all week than I should have been causing me to groggily get up every morning and drag myself to work but I swear it was worth it!I am really enjoying the small piece of 'punchinella that I've got and am stenciling little dots everywhere. It's one of the similiar things on all 5 of these pages. Just had to do it!

I'm also finding inchies are a great way to add that "little" extra. *snicker*

I wasn't sure about keeping the ribbon on this one at such a long sharp point but it seems as if everyone really likes it like that...go figure.

It did however make this picture slightly smaller and longer though.

This one was my initial favorite one which surprised me as I'm not a huge fan of orange but after this page I really must reconsider. More of those "little" inchies. *another snicker* Rust.

One of my favorite things. No actual rust was harmed in the making of this page...I swear.

I used some modeling paste to build up a bit of texture around the circle which was a really cool piece of ephemera I received from Colorfuldayz.

I'm sure she won't recognize it as I barely do but I certainly wanted to give her credit for it!

*side note, I "think" I finally figured out the whole clickable link thingy...yay for me*

*cough* Where was I? Oh yeah, my rust is all acrylic-ed. Just thought I would share, hehe.

I was a little leary about throwing yet another big eyed bird in the pot but I thought that by changing him up a bit I could 'get away' with it. Needless to say this one is my favorite. I had a real hard time sending him away but I feel he will be loved in his new home.

I really love this shade of yellow and it was the bit of text that decided what color I would go with. I also really like the way the little ribbon loops look on the edge of the page.

These have all been mailed out to the hostess of the swap and I'm excited to see what comes back to me. I'm secretly hoping for a couple of specific ones. *crosses fingers*

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I can't believe it's been so long since I last blogged about...something.Where have I been, have I been doing anything? Hmmm, good questions all.

I have been busy playing catch up on my remaining swaps because I've made a promise to myself to actually start getting some items together to put in my currently empty etsy shop.Wait, did I hear a pin drop? Far far away.....*chuckle*

I'm serious!'Course it would be great if anyone out there was actually interested in what I thought I should be selling. I guess time will tell.

On another note I finished another 4x4 Creative Chunky page for the swap on Craftster.org.

My partner really liked the last one I did in this style so I created this page for her.

I love these adorable little kids.Wish I could remember where I found them though.

I used a piece of corrugated cardboard that my neighbor was throwing away after it sat in her garage for years. I HAD to have it, hehe.

I used acylics on the cardboard along with a piece of some wallcovering backing paper I had then collaged the letters and the kids on.

I'm still all about using this pretty piece of scrapbook paper I have even though I only have one small section left. It's so pretty. More of the mesh stuff and letters I cut from an old 1950's paper that I found in an old dresser someplace.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

I had a couple of people approach me via e-mail asking to trade with me for ATC's and one of them wanted "the bird" and the other liked my Zetti dudes. I did an extra bird card just because I could. I really like the way they look done on old newspaper. It was most fun to do these three cards.I'm not really sure wether or not this particular card would qualify for a "polka dot" challenge or not but I've been told he would so I may or may not send him in for the polka dot challenge on ATC Quarterly. I like that these little birds look like fledgling birds. Haven't quite developed their wings yet. Mr. BritchesHe's a goofy little guy for sure. I don't really see how his britches manage to stay on so well.

I saw a swap on ATC's for All that I just couldn't pass up and had to join. 9 for 9 inchies. I pulled out a few that I had done previously, dusted them off and added a flavor or two and then made some new ones. I particularly love the acid green bird and newspaper one. My returns on that swap should be mailed out on May 15th. Here's hoping the mail man brings me great things!